Is ML enough?

[jbo225]

Good afternoon all so my fiance bought me a abu veritas plx spinning ML/F for Father's day(surprised me) and I have no experience with a ML rod I've always used M spinning for most of my lite soft plastics with that being said is the spinning PLX ML enough rod for wacky/ ned and few other applications used mostly around docks and skipping no cover being used around thanks yall

[NorthernBasser]

Never used that particular rod. But I usually throw wacky rig on medium, but it can be done on ML, especially if the rod isn't a noodle. I like the extra power to get the bass away from the dock posts asap.

 

I throw my neds and drop shot on ML. 

[Choporoz]

That rod is likely to be perfect for something.   Best if you figure it out instead of having us guess.  Not trying to be an azz, but you really have to go out and try a variety of different things in or close to the weight rating.  It might allow you to skip like Andy Montgomery.....or be a perfect drop shot rod.  Go out with the mission to try a range of light lures and techniques...you will almost certainly find something that rod does much better than your other spinning rods.

[king fisher]

    Look at the ratings on the rod.  Every manufacturer has a different idea of what ML is.  If the lures you are planning on fishing with fall in the middle of the recommended weight range, and the line you plan on using is in the middle of the line guidelines, then you are good to go. If one or both are at the far end of the guidelines than you may or may not be happy, depends on you.  Remember to add the weight of the soft plastic with the weight of the sinker or jig head to come up with a total weight of your lure.  You can always use lighter lures, smaller line, and smaller hooks.  All you need to do is buy the lighter tackle.  That is the best way to end up with both more rods and more tackle.  Win win.

[casts_by_fly]

I fish a ML with 10 lb braid.  Its a 1/8-3/8 rating, 7' and was a $25 walmart special 25 years ago (Berkley I think).  Its travelled the world with us as we moved and I've used it for trout and panfish, bass, and carp.  Its close to a moderate action and a bit of a noodle at times, but the braid helps.  I've caught carp to 10 lb on it that I think of.  Its great for throwing 1/10 oz neds and similar.  If your rod has a little more backbone than this one (wouldn't be hard) then that would end up as my choice for a spinning rod for bass.

[BrianMDTX]

I like my St. Croix Bass-X ML/XF for weightless TR with Zoom Tricks and 4” Senkos, as well as with lightweight Ned rigs. 

[bulldog1935]

At least half the redfish I boat are on ML. 

The reason is long-distance fishing 1/8 oz lead in 2' of water. 

[Hulkster]

for what its worth I love throwing #3 Mepps Black Fury Spinners and #3 Aglia's on rods like that. they are perfect and inline spinners like Mepps catch everything that swims. 

[Phil77]

I've caught everything fresh water on a cheap lews ML Moderate. Lots of fun with a Ned rig.

I also fish a shakey head on a 7ML casting rod.

[roadwarrior]

I have one ML for trout, but it is not enough for bass.

[Choporoz]

I have two ML spinning rods that are both outstanding bass rods, and often carry both.  I use DX702SF for dropshot, and a Fenwick Techna 7'3" ML F for Ned's, light shakey heads, weightless trickworms, flukes, etc.

[Bird]

3 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Never used that particular rod. But I usually throw wacky rig on medium, but it can be done on ML, especially if the rod isn't a noodle. I like the extra power to get the bass away from the dock posts asap.

 

I throw my neds and drop shot on ML. 

Same ^

[Bankc]

I have that rod (Veritas PLX ML/F spinning 6'9").  It's actually closer to a medium than a true ML.  I use it most for wacky rigs, and it's great for that!  I don't use it so much for neds and drop shots, as it's a little stiffer than I'd like for those.  I use a different, softer ML/F rod for those baits, one that fishes a little closer to its rating.  

[Big-Bass]

I have the Veritas PLX 7' ML XF and that is a fun rod for dropshot and neds.  No problem landing smallmouth or largemouth on it at all.  Drag setting on the spinning reel is more important when fighting a larger fish and finesse vs. horsing them in.

[T-Billy]

3 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I have one ML for trout, but it is not enough for bass.

Nonsense. 7' ML SLX and 6# XT was enough for this guy.

And this.

And this.

And a of bunch of other bass, musky, carp, cats... ML and 6# will get it done in open water, and EVERYTHING will eat a TRD Bug. 

 

[LCG]

My finesse rod is a 6'8" ML-F rated for 3/32-1/2oz. Use it for Ned's, neko, drop shot, wacky, etc. I have used it in open water to light cover with no issues. 

[KDW96]

7 hours ago, jbo225 said:

Good afternoon all so my fiance bought me a abu veritas plx spinning ML/F for Father's day(surprised me) and I have no experience with a ML rod I've always used M spinning for most of my lite soft plastics with that being said is the spinning PLX ML enough rod for wacky/ ned and few other applications used mostly around docks and skipping no cover being used around thanks yall

Your rod will be just fine. You may find youll like it better.

[QED]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I have one ML for trout, but it is not enough for bass.

 

Odd, I caught the below fish on the below rig (UL 2lb test).  To me, ML is like a pool cue!  ?

 

[Bluebasser86]

I use a ML St. Croix LTB for Ned rigs, one of my favorite rods I own. It's handled fish over 20lbs, ML will get the job done for bass no problem. 

[MN Fisher]

My Fury 702SF - ML/F - is my prime finesse rod. DS, Ned, Neko, light Shakey and occasionally weightless Wacky.

 

My now retired Daiwa 1312 - 6'6" ML/F has handled Walleye and Pike...and was the rod I caught my PB Northern on.

[gim]

Not a big fan of ML for bass fishing. Just not enough back bone. Would it work? Probably. As others have mentioned it’s worth trying for some application.

 

I do have ML rods but they are used for walleye fishing. Walleyes fight like a wet sock when hooked.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I use ML rods most of the time for my finesse fishing. Not to say Mediums don’t have their place. 

[padon]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a ML St. Croix LTB for Ned rigs, one of my favorite rods I own. It's handled fish over 20lbs, ML will get the job done for bass no problem. 

i have the same rod and its excellent. i also have a new version expride in 72 ml which is fantastic. nice soft tip for dropshot etc but gets into the backbone about a quarter of the way down and has surprising power.

[thunderblack]

I love ML fishing rods for bass and anything that swims. keep it!

[Boomstick]

A lot depends on the rod. Some med. light rods are closer to some mediums and can be used interchangeably. Then for medium rods, there's basically your finesse medium and then there's mediums that run heavy. Either of these are great for wacky rigged senkos for example

 

Typically, any medium light rod should be good for ned rigs, definitely a step up from a medium in the same line for this. Depending on the rod, it may or may not be good for wacky rigs and drop shots. Usually, a medium light that runs heavy is pretty ideal for both.

 

The right ML or M rod depending on the model will do everything you want from a spinning rod. For years, my only spinning rod I used for bass was a St Croix Avid 6'9" ML/XF - which runs a bit heavy. I am not super familiar with the Abu Garcia line but I believe the line rating is 6-10lbs and the higher end of the weight rating of 1/2oz which are on the upper end of the range for a med. light suggests this rod may be in the ballpark of what you want.

 

What is generally more important than ML or M, is the transition from the tip to the backbone. Often a medium with an extra fast tip does not work well with the drop shot because the tips are often short and soft and once it gets to the backbone, it's too much. Typically the reason for ML rods having an extra fast tip is the backbone will still have some give to it, where mediums have a longer tip to compensate.